The occurrence of mycobacteria in invertebrates and poikilothermic animals and their role in the infection of other animals and man

During the eradication of herds infected with bovine tuberculosis and paratuberculosis, and flocks infected with avian tuberculosis, we often confront with issues on to how mycobacterial infections are transmitted by invertebrates - poikilothermic animals. Similar questions have been also raised in human medicine, especially in infections caused by opportune pathogenic mycobacteria. In the last years, the occurrence of these mycobacteria in lower and higher vertebrates, and as well as in man, has been rising steadily. Our study included information about the occurrence and possible ways of transmission of mycobacterial infections through invertebrates and poikilothermic animals. In addition, the impact of the opportune pathogenic mycobacteria on man and animals, and the course of the disease have been described